Virtualization Technologies
Virtualization technologies are the technology that allows us to run virtual machines on physical servers. Those technologies run with the help of software, the software is called Hypervisors.
Today I’m going to be discussing the difference between a hypervisor in Virtual Machine Manager, then I’m going to move on to components of virtualization, and then I’m going to have a brief demo discussion on software-defined networking.
I have a whole lot of information to impart not a whole lot of time. So let’s go ahead and begin this article. Of course, I’m going, to begin with, hypervisors and virtual machine managers.
Here are some of the virtual technologies
Virtual Machine (VM)
A VM is a software-based emulation of computer hardware. VMs allow users to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single physical machine. A user creates a VM using a hypervisor, which is a program that manages the execution of VMs.
The hypervisor is the program that controls the execution of VMs and provides access to the underlying hardware. There are two types of hypervisors:
- Hardware-assisted virtualization
- Software-only virtualization
Hardware-assisted virtualization requires special hardware to perform certain tasks, such as providing memory management services. In contrast, software-only virtualization does not require any specialized hardware.
Guest Operating System (OS)
The guest OS is the operating system that runs inside the VM. The guest OS cannot directly interact with the host’s hardware; instead, it communicates with the hypervisor via a standard interface.
Host Operating System (HOST)
The HOST is the operating system that is running outside the VM. The HOST may communicate with the hypervisor via its own interface.
Virtual Networking
Virtual networking refers to the use of network protocols to create logical networks between computers. Virtual networking enables users to share files, printers, and Internet connections across different platforms.
Virtual Storage
Virtual storage is a term used to describe the memory space allocated to a computer’s operating system. In a traditional hard drive setup, data is stored on physical disks called platters. Each disk contains many tiny magnetic particles that store information. When a file is saved, the information is written onto these platters. As the platters spin at high speeds, they create vibrations that cause noise. To reduce the amount of noise created, the platters are covered with a thin layer of rubber.
1. Solid State Drives (SSD)
Solid-state drives use flash memory instead of spinning platters. Flash memory does not have moving parts, so it creates less noise than traditional hard drives. SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives and can transfer files at rates of hundreds of megabytes per second.
2. RAM
Random access memory is the type of memory that is used to temporarily store information while it is being processed. Most computers have two types of random access memory: DRAM and SRAM. DRAM stands for dynamic random-access memory and stores information in capacitors. SRAM stands for static random-access memory and uses bistable transistors to store information. SRAM is generally slower than DRAM, but it is cheaper and requires less power.
3. Hard Disk Drive
A hard disk drive is a device that stores data on rotating disks coated with magnetic material. Data is read from and written to the disks using read/write heads. A hard disk drive consists of several components including platters, read/write heads, actuator arms, and motors.
4. Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Network-attached storage is a type of external storage that connects to a network. NAS devices are similar to hard drives except that they do not require their own internal power supply. Instead, they connect to a router or switch via an Ethernet cable and share the connection with other devices on the network.
5. USB Flash Drive
USB flash drives are small portable devices that plug directly into a computer’s USB port. These devices are commonly used to carry files between different computers.
6. CD-ROM
CD-ROM stands for compact disc read-only memory. Compact discs were originally designed to hold music, but now CDs can hold any kind of digital data.
What is the difference between a hypervisor in a Virtual Machine Manager?
The difference could be nothing or the difference could be everything. Some people use the term hypervisor, very broadly, they use it to refer to any of the software that is used to manage virtual machines.
Others will differentiate between the two terms in this way, a hypervisor does not need a host operating system, while a virtual machine manager or VMM requires a host operating system, such as Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X, or a Linux operating system.
Well, the hypervisor can operate as its own operating system. With that covered, let’s talk about some of the components of virtualization.
First up is the virtual desktop. A virtual desktop is a virtual machine or VM that functions as a desktop.
Now, any modern operating system can be run inside of a VM desktop, multiple virtual desktops may be hosted on or from a single host system. Then there are virtual servers, which surprisingly, is a virtual machine that functions as a server. Any modern server operating system can be used in a virtual server environment.
Multiple virtual servers may be hosted on or from a single host, guess what there are then virtual switches, firewalls, and routers. These are virtual machines that fulfil the functions of the switch firewall and router.
Virtual firewalls and routers are particularly effective when they’re combined with virtual network interface controllers or virtual NICs, and virtual switches to create virtual networks. Speaking of virtual networks an important consideration when designing a virtual network is how that virtual network is going to pass traffic to remote networks or networks outside of the host system.
Virtualization by its nature leads to either an open and highly scalable network or a closed self-contained system, it is possible to create a completely self-contained network with all of the virtual components and never have network traffic leave the host machine.
But if there is a desire or need for that network traffic to pass beyond the host system, then that function needs to be specifically granted. A connection must be created between the host system’s physical neck, and the virtual networking equipment to allow network traffic to pass through the physical host system.
Software Defined Networking
Software Defined Networking or SDN is the process of allowing the administration and configuration of a network to be done dynamically. With SDN, the administrator uses a front-end program to make adjustments to the network. This program sends the instructions to the networking equipment, which is then reconfigured to perform as the administrator desires.
SDN can allow network administrators to dynamically adjust network performance without the need to log into each individual device that needs to be adjusted to achieve the desired performance. SDN is considered to still be an emerging technology. But SDN also works well for virtual networks and cloud computing.